FFA members head for state

Hot Spring County High School’s FFA students are getting geared up for the 2017 State FFA Convention to be held in Cheyenne April 5-8.

The four-day convention will be packed with competitions, recognition and winners as well as a lot of fun for those attending.

There will be meats evaluation, parliamentary procedure tests, a booth competition, public speaking competitions, a career show and leadership workshops, just to name a few of the things going on.

New state officers will also be elected during the event. Jessie Pennoyer will be running for a state office from Thermopolis.

FFA members attending the state convention from Thermopolis include: Spencer Axtell, Eric Bleak, Riley Shaffer, Jason Clouse, Blake Williams, Dreama Thorpe, Jessie Pennoyer, Barbara Kissell, Chandler Maddock, Audrey Axtell, Maggie Jones, Ames Tschiffely, Kaitlyn Schmuck, Strite Daniels, Keegan Robbins and Jeffery VanAntwerp.

Pennoyer is also a finalist for Regional Star Farmer and the Beef Cattle Proficiency award.

Jessie's mom, Donna Pennoyer, will be receiving the Honorary FFA State Degree.

Some highlights from recent contests include the livestock team placing 11th out of 34 teams in Casper. Members are Kissel, Pennoyer and Thorpe. Kissel dropped 54 points in two livestock contests. Pennoyer averaged a 42 on reasons.

The meats team was fifth at the NWC contest in Powell. Members are Shaffer, Bleak, Williams and Clouse. Shaffer was 10th high individual in his first meats contest.

The Environment and Natural Resources team was 8th at NWC. Members are Clouse, Shaffer, Wiliams and Axtell.